Neuroinflammation-Related Genes
🧠 Microglial Activation and Immune Regulation
| Gene | Function |
|---|---|
| TREM2 | Regulates microglial response to damage; mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease. |
| CD33 | Inhibits microglial phagocytosis; involved in neurodegenerative risk. |
| CX3CR1 | Microglia-neuron communication; modulates neurotoxicity and synaptic pruning. |
| TLR4 | Recognizes damage signals (DAMPs); activates NF-κB inflammatory pathway. |
| P2RY12 | Homeostatic microglial marker; mediates chemotaxis. |
🧬 Cytokines and Chemokines
| Gene | Function |
|---|---|
| IL1B | Encodes interleukin-1β; promotes neuroinflammation and fever. |
| TNF | Tumor necrosis factor-α; central in acute neuroinflammatory response. |
| IL6 | Mediates both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in the CNS. |
| CCL2 | Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; attracts macrophages to CNS lesions. |
| CXCL10 | Chemoattracts activated T-cells; elevated in autoimmune encephalitis. |
🧪 Oxidative Stress and Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption
| Gene | Function |
|---|---|
| NOX2 | Generates ROS; contributes to oxidative neuronal damage. |
| MMP9 | Degrades extracellular matrix; implicated in blood-brain barrier leakage. |
| AQP4 | Water channel protein; involved in brain edema and astrocyte function. |
🧠 Neurodegeneration and Clearance
| Gene | Function |
|---|---|
| APP | Amyloid precursor protein; source of Aβ peptides in Alzheimer’s. |
| PSEN1/2 | γ-secretase complex components; mutations lead to abnormal amyloid processing. |
| ABCA7 | Lipid transporter; modulates microglial phagocytosis and cholesterol homeostasis. |
🔬 Common in Mendelian Randomization Studies
| Gene | Function |
|---|---|
| IL6R | IL-6 receptor; instrumental variable in MR studies of inflammation. |
| CRP | C-reactive protein gene; systemic inflammation marker. |
| TREM2 | See above; frequently used in genetic studies of microglial response. |
| MMP9 | See above; associated with hemorrhagic transformation. |